Three people have died and "around a dozen" are missing after a large explosion at a three-storey block of flats in Jersey. Two "walking wounded" have been taken to hospital as police on the Channel island search the site following the blast at Haut du Mont on Pier Road, St Helier.
Sunday 11 December 2022 11:56, UK
Key points
Chief officer at States of Jersey Police Robin Smith has described the site of the fatal blast in St Helier as a "scene of utter devastation" during a news conference.
He added that the search operation being carried out by emergency services could last for weeks.
You can watch him speaking at the conference earlier in the video below.
The Government of Jersey has released some photos of the Chief of Police Robin Smith and Detective Chief Inspector Craig Jackson.
The two have been working together as part of the search and rescue operation following an explosion at a block of flats in St Helier.
"Jersey fire and ambulance services working together to search the site for survivors of this morning's explosion," the Facebook post read.
During the news conference, chief ambulance officer Peter Gavey was asked to provide an update on the two people described as "walking wounded".
He told reporters they had since been discharged from hospital.
He said: "The two from earlier have been released since.
"One other is in hospital receiving treatment, but nothing serious at this time, as I understand it."
Paul Brown, chief fire officer, said the plan is to continue searching the scene of the explosion in St Helier.
Speaking at a news conference, he said: "The plan is that we will continue searching, and we have no other plan at this stage.
"We are just continuing to search and most of our efforts at the moment are about organisation and logistics of securing the right support at the right time, and making sure that the right equipment arrives in the right sequence."
He later added: "The area is being lit and teams will be working tonight, all night, and we will not stop for the time being."
He also confirmed firefighters attended the site on Friday night after concerns were raised by residents who reported smelling rusks.
Mr Brown said an investigation was carried out at the time but no further details have been revealed.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown.
Chief officer at States of Jersey Police Robin Smith has described the site of the blast as a "scene of utter devastation".
Answering a question from a reporter about the cordoned off area, Mr Smith said: "The building has completely collapsed, it doesn't even look like a building.
"It was a significant explosion with a very wide scene. It is a scene of utter devastation and tragedy."
He added that the number of missing people is still thought to be around a dozen, but emergency services are hoping it is less than that.
Chief officer at States of Jersey Police Robin Smith added that it has been an extremely busy day and services have made "significant progress".
He continued to say that support for families will remain in place.
"This is a protracted incident, this is going to go on for days, maybe weeks, so it is important we have the resilience to keep going," he said.
"We will continue to search throughout the night."
At least three people have died following an explosion and fire at a block of flats in Jersey, Chief Minister Kristina Moore said.
Ms Moore started the news conference by saying her "thoughts and prayers" to those affected by the blast.
She went on to thank emergency services for their hard work in dealing with the incident and called on the "collective strength" of the island's community to help those impacted.
A news conference about the fatal explosion at a block of flats in Jersey has just started.
One person has died, at least two people have been injured and around a dozen are missing following the blast in St Helier this morning.
Throughout the briefing, we are expecting to hear from:
Speaking first is, Kristina Moore.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has said he is "deeply saddened" following the explosion in Jersey.
One person has died and "around a dozen" are missing following the blast and fire at a block of flats.
The deputy prime minister tweeted: "I'm deeply saddened by the incident in Jersey this morning and my thoughts are with everyone affected.
"I commend the work of the emergency services responding and we stand ready to support in any way we can."
As we prepare to hear from a police news conference in Jersey, here is a quick reminder about what we know about this morning's explosion.
